Triangle Business Journal: Chapel Hill’s University Mall Lands Three New Shops

Three more shops from the soon-to-be-demolished University Square building on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill are making the move over to University Mall on the east side of town.

Fine Feathers, Peacock Alley and Kidzu Children’s Museum are planning to relocate to University Mall this fall in time to be open for the holiday shopping season.

In February, two other University Square retailers, custom jeweler William Travis Jewelry and children’s apparel store Glee Kids, committed to also move to University Mall. Glee Kids reopened at University Mall earlier this year, and William Travis Jewelers along with a new specialty fitness retailer, TrySports (http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2013/05/sports-store-to-open-in-chapel-hill.html), will open in the fourth quarter.

Fine Feathers, a women’s apparel boutique, had been an institution at University Square since 1976. At University Mall, it will be taking a 2,700-square-foot space next to William Travis Jewelers.

Peacock Alley, a luxury linens shop that has been open in Chapel Hill for 32 years, will be relocating to a space next Glee Kids. Betsy Hayes, owner of Peacock Alley, says they first asked their customers where they should relocate before making the decision to move to the mall. “When we asked our customers, especially those coming from out of town, University Mall was hands down the best choice for a new location from a convenience standpoint and proximity to Southern Season which many enjoy visiting when they come to Chapel Hill,” she says.

The Kidzu Children’s Museum will be opening in the former Chapel Hill Public Library location near Dillard’s that became available when the library moved into its new building in March.

Kidzu is currently raising funds to establish a bigger, more permanent location, but its Launch Pad initiative at University Mall will allow it space to prototype new exhibits, expand programming, and increase student field trips.

University Mall is owned and operated by Madison Marquette of Washington, D.C.